Selected life history aspects and habitat use by Merriam's wild turkeys in Oregon PublicDeposited

Descriptions

Habitat use and reproductive success by Merriam's wild turkey
(Meleagris gallopavo merriami) were studied in Wasco County, Oregon,
during 1981-82. This low density turkey population selectively used
forested cover types characterized by a variety of structural
features, species, and age classes. They avoided monotypic forested
cover types, used non-forested cover types in proportion to their
availability, and never used forested cover types with structure
simplified by logging activities. Reproductive success and nesting
habitat were described for 25 Merriam's wild turkey hens. A higher
proportion of adults than yearlings attempted to nest (75 vs. 25%) and
were more successful (90 vs. 25%). Nests were located in 5 of 14
available cover types; only thinned, mixed conifer was used more than
it occurred. Thinned, mixed conifer stands contained 52% of the
nests, of which 82% were successful. Two measures of vegetative
screening (shrub density and visual obstruction at 0.5 m) were
significantly greater at sites used for nesting than at random sites.
Characteristics of trees and cover types in which Merriam's wild
turkeys roosted were described for 36 roosts used by hens during
winter, spring, and summer. Four of 14 cover types were used for
roosting; only mature, mixed conifer was used significantly more than
it occurred on the study area. Seasonal differences in roost
characteristics (number of trees/site, canopy cover, slope, and DBH)
were attributed to flock size and composition.
I suggest that complexity both within and among cover types is
an important component of habitat for Merriam's wild turkeys, which
should be considered in the evaluation of potential release sites and
in habitat management plans for existing populations. I recommend
creating nesting habitat by thinning pole-size stands in the Douglas--
fir (pseudotsuga menziesij) zone and leaving slash in stands.
Additionally, adult rather than yearling hens should be released in
transplant operations.